The much-awaited T20 World Cup 2022 kickstarts on 16 October 2022 in Australia. The Australian pitches have traditionally favored pace bowlers, compared to the previous edition in the UAE, where the pitches are generally slow.
The Australian pitches are hard, where the bowl gets an extra zip and bounce from the surface. Hence, a good pace attack becomes vital for any participating team. In addition, T20 cricket has evolved a lot in the past few years. The pitches around the world have become more batsmen-friendly and modern-day batsmen are highly capable of playing 360-degree shots.
However, as they say, “Batters win your matches, bowlers win your tournaments”. Hence, a better pace attack will always come in handy in tricky situations. In addition, all the participating teams are blessed with decent pace bowlers who can prove to be match-winners for them.
Teams with the Best Pace Attack for T20 World Cup 2022
In this article, we will analyze different teams based on their pace attack. We will also rank different teams with the best pace attack from 1 to 5, leading up to the ICC T20 World Cup 2022.
Australia
The hosts and defending champions Australia will start as favorites for the T20 World Cup 2022. Their star-studded bowling lineup comprising Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc is lethal in all formats of the game. The pace trio was also the architect of their T20 World Cup 2021 triumph in UAE.
Besides, someone like Kane Richardson who has enough exposure to T20 leagues all around the world can add another dimension to pace bowling. In addition, all-rounders Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchell Marsh can provide the much-needed balance in the bowling pace bowling department.
Pakistan
Pakistan has always boasted of a pace attack that can threaten the strongest batting lineups on any given day. With their star pace bowler Shaheen Afridi back after injury, the Pakistani team will be riding high in confidence.
Pakistan is expected to start with the pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah. All three of them can bowl regularly over 140 kmph and can also swing the ball both ways. With their middle order struggling to score runs lately, the onus will be on the Pakistani pace bowlers to deliver with the ball in hand.
New Zealand
The Kiwis will be looking to win their maiden T20 World Cup on their visit to Australia. Over the years, the team has managed to reach the finals of the ODI World Cup in 2019, and the T20 World Cup in 2021. But, they failed to win both tournaments. However, they are going to the T20 World Cup 2022 with plenty of experience in the bowling lineup.
Their vastly experienced pace bowling unit consists of Trent Boult, Tim Southe, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, and the rising star Michael Bracewell can dismantle any batting lineup.
Subsequently, their all-rounders Daryl Mitchell and Jimmy Neesham are more than capable with the ball in hand. Thus, this experienced New Zealand team is a force to reckon with come the T20 World Cup 2022.
India
Pace bowling has been a concern for India ever since the Asia Cup 2022. Their main issue lies with the form of veteran pace bowler Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel, who have leaked plenty of runs lately.
But, even though India is missing the services of their ace pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah due to a back injury, they are still a force to reckon with. The talented youngster Arshdeep Singh has been bowling so well with the new ball.
Additionally, with the experienced Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami by his side, the pacers will look to compliment their strong batting lineup with the ball in hand. Also, the presence of in-form all-rounder Hardik Pandya can help provide a big boost to the Indian bowling lineup too.
England
The England team has every element in their game to challenge for the T20 World Cup 2022 title. Their pace bowling attack consists of the emerging talent Reece Topley, express quick Mark Wood, Chris Jordan, and Chris Woakes can trouble any batting lineup.
But, the fitness of their prime fast bowler Mark Wood will remain a concern for the English team moving forward. Wood has recently made his return to action after an injury break. He was very effective with the ball against Pakistan. In addition, he was also regularly bowling at 150+ all through the matches that he played.
Subsequently, with the all-rounders’ Sam Curran and Ben Stokes complimenting them with the ball, the English team will be aiming to win their second T20 World Cup 2022 title this time around.
